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How to make your skin look awesome when you’re not wearing any makeup

Text: Staff; Photography: IMAXtree

August 1, 2017

We love makeup. But there’s a freedom that comes from knowing makeup is just an accessory. You can put it on to feel playful or bold or strong, but it shouldn’t be so ingrained in your routine that you feel like a lesser version of yourself without it.

That said, not having the ability to reach for concealer has a way of making you hyper aware of how you’re treating your skin. Like, where did that breakout come from? And that redness? Maybe you should actually do something to calm them instead of covering them up with colour corrector? While it really starts with having a skin care regimen tailored to your specific needs, there are a few easy ways you can boost your complexion in a pinch. And, hey, if you do decide halfway through the day that you want to put some foundation on? Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

1 Do yoga and meditate

Question: When was the last time you took a deep breath? We’re talking five counts in, five counts out. “In Kundalini yoga, in which breath plays a large part, the postures and sequences are designed to detox your kidney and liver,” explains Wah Khalsa, executive director of Golden Bridge Yoga (in New York City and Santa Monica, California). The moves will also boost your circulation. So what does that mean for your skin? An all over glow plus a more even tone, says Khalsa. She likes the meditative exercise called the Cannon Breath. To try it at home: Close your eyes, form a firm O with your mouth, and exhale rapidly and rhythmically from the navel. Do it for a few minutes every morning. “Yoga calmed my breakouts.” Desirée Pais, founder of Benshen skin care, used to have cystic acne; she says Kundalini yoga and meditation changed everything.

2 Massage your face

“Facial massage is really great at bringing blood and oxygen to the surface,” says Palm Beach, Florida, facialist Tammy Fender. So when washing your face, take an extra minute or two to work in your cleanser or exfoliant with circular movements. When applying oils, serums, or creams, use a pressing or tapping motion for a mini massage. “This revs up pressure points in your face and brightens up your skin,” Fender says.

3 Swap your morning coffee for herbal tea

There’s growing evidence that some herbs help skin issues. Medical herbalist Daniela Turley likes calendula to soothe sensitive skin. Buy the tea loose, and either brew it or combine the florets with serum for a soothing face mask. For daily doses of antioxidants, she loves turmeric, liquorice root, or ginkgo — just add a teaspoon of the ground herb to smoothies or warm tea. Also, try adaptogens: They’re healing plants that allow the body to better deal with stress and issues like hormonal acne. One to try: the B12-rich ashitaba, “it’s great for cell regeneration,” says Nitsa Citrine, creative director of Sun Potion herbs. You can also mix ashitaba with water and dab it on zits, as Citrine does.

4 Choose dairy wisely

A link has been found between cow dairy and acne flare-ups in some people. If breakouts or eczema is your issue, Turley suggests swapping out regular dairy for coconut milk or goat milk. Goat milk has more calcium than cow milk, while coconut milk has medium-chain fatty acids that won’t stoke inflammation.

5 Smile more

Anyone with RBF knows the annoyance of being told this. But hang with us for a second. “When you put a smile on your face, even a fake one, it releases endorphins, which ups circulation,” says Fender.